Does anybody have experience with the Napolean brand of bar-end mirrors? If so, do you like them? If not, why? I notice that the mirror uses an expandable rubber plug instead of a metal sleeve. Does this cause the mirror to move forward and backward or are they pretty solid when mounted? Thanks in advance.
Napolean Bar-end Mirrors
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G
Guest
·They stay put.
I like mine. Lot's of positions you can put them in, too. On my 95, it looks like the previous owner that installed them had to drill out the ends of the aluminum handlebars to the proper diameter.
Check out Zina Kelly's site for some pics of Napoleans installed in the mounts instead of bar ends. Sorry, can't remember the link,(I think it's ducatigirl.com?) but you should be able to get a link thru ducatitech.com. I like the way her mirrors look in that position.
Check out Zina Kelly's site for some pics of Napoleans installed in the mounts instead of bar ends. Sorry, can't remember the link,(I think it's ducatigirl.com?) but you should be able to get a link thru ducatitech.com. I like the way her mirrors look in that position.
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383 Posts
Had Napoleons on a BMW back in '77. Worked great and looked good with the bike. I've got CRG LS mirrors on the Monster and think they mostly look better with this particular bike.
-Don
-Don
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383 Posts
CRG's worth the cost? That is one tough question. I ended up paying $231 (tax and shipping included) for the mirrors and the adapters buying direct from CRG on the web. My dealer carries them but was having a hard time getting them for stock. I got the folding ones, with the ball detent hinge so I could fold them to get the bike in my door and in case of mirror ticking when splitting.
They were touted as being better because they're CNC machined. My concept of CNC machining is something you do when the volume of sales isn't high enough to justify some cast or forged parts, so "billet" doesn't impress me.
They are nice mirrors. The shake is low and somewhat offset by the convex shape (the optical shake is less than the physical shake) so the image is pretty stable. I can't actually tell if the car behind me is a Crown Vic or not, but I can certainly see a wide panorama clearly.
And they look good on the bike.
I'd think that the pure dollar for bang ratio is probably better served with Napoleons, but being money wasn't tight when I got the CRG's, I'm happy with the purchase.
-Don
They were touted as being better because they're CNC machined. My concept of CNC machining is something you do when the volume of sales isn't high enough to justify some cast or forged parts, so "billet" doesn't impress me.
They are nice mirrors. The shake is low and somewhat offset by the convex shape (the optical shake is less than the physical shake) so the image is pretty stable. I can't actually tell if the car behind me is a Crown Vic or not, but I can certainly see a wide panorama clearly.
And they look good on the bike.
I'd think that the pure dollar for bang ratio is probably better served with Napoleons, but being money wasn't tight when I got the CRG's, I'm happy with the purchase.
-Don
G
Guest
·The CRG does look better on the bike, lots of curves on the bike. That is the main reason I went with them. The curved shape of the mirror alllows for better signt picture all around you, but objects in the distance appear to be darker than a normal mirror.
Oh sure guys, make it harder for me to decide. 
I'll have to give this some more thought and figure out which ones to go with. I like the look of both styles but fortunately I have some time to think on it. Thanks again for the input.
I'll have to give this some more thought and figure out which ones to go with. I like the look of both styles but fortunately I have some time to think on it. Thanks again for the input. 
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3,178 Posts
with the larger napoleans, you can discern the type of car behind you. on my former 900ss, they worked well up to about 130 mph and would fold back a little. i don't ride that fast with mirrors anymore. (specifically, i only go that fast on the race track now)
chris
chrisG
Guest
·I'm using the little 2" CRG blindsights on my Monster and on my 999. I can see everything I need to see. The convex mirror provides a nice panoramic view. They are only $39 each.
As a post script to my comments above:
While putting the headlight/turnsignals/etc. back on the bike this afternoon, I decided to try mounting my Napoleans similarly to Zina's bike.
I have the coffin style reservoirs and there would be a clearance issue requiring a spacer if I helicoiled the regualr mounting boss on top of the lever bracket. However, the hole in the middle of the pivot pin is a good fit for the M8 bolt in the barend mount. And after trimming the round wedge on the mount flush with the bottom of the mount, the stock bolt is even the right length.
A trial fit proved that rear vision will be good, and I like the looks. The mirrors will be very near the same position relative to the OEM fairing as some SBK mirrors, just connected to the bars instead.
After I do the trimming and bolting in place I'll get some pix as soon as possible.
While putting the headlight/turnsignals/etc. back on the bike this afternoon, I decided to try mounting my Napoleans similarly to Zina's bike.
I have the coffin style reservoirs and there would be a clearance issue requiring a spacer if I helicoiled the regualr mounting boss on top of the lever bracket. However, the hole in the middle of the pivot pin is a good fit for the M8 bolt in the barend mount. And after trimming the round wedge on the mount flush with the bottom of the mount, the stock bolt is even the right length.
A trial fit proved that rear vision will be good, and I like the looks. The mirrors will be very near the same position relative to the OEM fairing as some SBK mirrors, just connected to the bars instead.
After I do the trimming and bolting in place I'll get some pix as soon as possible.
G
Guest
·Do they fold in? And would we need to buy the adapters to mount them on an S4R? I had my S4R on the track this weekend. I took off my mirrors and put them in the truck. When I opened the door they fell out and broke. What a crap weekend.
G
Guest
·I had already done what Mark is doing.
The CRG mirrors are the finest bar-end items you can buy. Get some now. Or just get one..depending on how narrow/minimal/blind you like to be. Let cost be no object 'You ride a Ducati, right?' I hate that excuse..but if a mirror is worth $80, this one is. I got mine from
http://ca-cycleworks.com - even though they're mfg'd down the road from me...
The CRGs are very very high quality stuff. I derive far more enjoyment from this mirror than I should.
I used to have those $5 mtn bike bar enders too..quite the bang for your buck - but I got tired of constantly moving them back into position after an 8hr road trip..My gf is still ribbing me about that... 'who's back there? oh wait, gotta adjust the mirror'
Also, didnt feel bad about thwacking the cheap ones on..things..while passing..but you shouldnt do that anyway. And they scratch.
Used to use Napoleons on my Guzzi, and they were great for $15, but still a little wide (not that it mattered with a Goose), and the CRGs didnt exist yet...
http://ca-cycleworks.com - even though they're mfg'd down the road from me...
The CRGs are very very high quality stuff. I derive far more enjoyment from this mirror than I should.
I used to have those $5 mtn bike bar enders too..quite the bang for your buck - but I got tired of constantly moving them back into position after an 8hr road trip..My gf is still ribbing me about that... 'who's back there? oh wait, gotta adjust the mirror'
Also, didnt feel bad about thwacking the cheap ones on..things..while passing..but you shouldnt do that anyway. And they scratch.
Used to use Napoleons on my Guzzi, and they were great for $15, but still a little wide (not that it mattered with a Goose), and the CRGs didnt exist yet...
G
Guest
·I got them at REI.
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